Satire in Pride and Prejudice

"Her mind was less difficult to develop.  She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper.  When she was discontented she fancied herself nervous.  The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news." - Mr. Bennet (pg 5)

Satire as discussed in class, is the more intelligent version of sarcasm, as it used in most novels, to poke fun or make certain points.  Mr. Bennet is probably the most satirical person in the Pride and Prejudice thus far, as he is described as cruel and carless for his family yet is just the way he talks that shows this. In this passage early in the book, Mr. Bennet pokes fun of his wife using satire, for example, her mind was less difficult to develop implies that she is not smart and doesn't have to much knowledge.  In the second sentence, Mr. Bennet basically calls his wife stupid, or a person who is oblivious to everything and doesn't understand anything.  But the reason these lines are satire is because they are carried with such intelligence and flow, the "sharpness of the tongue" must be heard and understood.  In the rest of the passage Mr. Bennet says that his wife is social and can only be part of social gatherings and events, nothing more, and if she doesn't know whats going on she is essentially a "deer in the headlights".